Graco Recalls 25,000 Car Seats for Injury Risk
Graco is recalling more than 25,000 car seats that might not properly restrain children during a car accident. According to a CNN news report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that the webbing in the Graco My Ride 65 car seat failed to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The federal safety agency found that children who are properly restrained are at an even higher risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The 25,494 Graco My Ride 65 car seats that were recalled were produced between May and August 2014. The units with a webbing code tag of 2014/06 are affected. If a serious crash occurs, the harness webbing restraining the child could break resulting in the child not being properly restrained, the agency noted. The company has said if you own one of these car seats, you should contact Graco for a free replacement kit. Consumers can continue using the car seat until the replacement kit arrives. For more information call NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit their website at safercar.gov.
When Car Seats Are Dangerous
There is no question that car seats save young lives. While fully functional, infant car seats can significantly reduce the chance for injuries or death in the event of an auto accident, defective car seats can increase the potential for serious injury or even death. Car seats could have a number of defects that could make them dangerous. For example, when car seat latches or buckles have too much give or are too difficult to undo, the child is in danger of getting ejected from the vehicle. Or they could get stuck in the seat and it could be difficult to rescue them in a life-threatening situation such as a car fire.
When a car seat’s adjustors are faulty, they fail to keep straps properly adjusted. Low-quality materials and cause car seats to be flammable, putting the child at risk for burn injuries. Also, when the frame of a car seat is weak or broken, it puts the child in danger because the seat cannot function properly.
Buying Used Car Seats
Consumer Reports discourages parents from buying car seats that are used and for good reason. This is because as a secondhand car seat buyer you cannot be completely sure of the product’s history including whether it has been involved in a car crash, its expiration date (yes, all car seats have one) and its recall history. Before you buy a used car seat, check the model on the Consumer Product Safety Commission‘s (CPSC) website for recalls. If it has been recalled and the fix is simple, you may be able to contact the manufacturer and make the fix. But, please do not ignore a car seat recall. It could make the huge difference for your child’s safety.
If Your Child Has Been Injured
If your child has suffered serious injuries as the result of a defective or recalled car seat, you may be able to seek compensation for damages including medical expenses and pain and suffering. Contact the experienced Sacramento product defect attorneys at the Demas Law Group P.C., to get more information about pursuing your legal rights. Call us at (916) 444-0100 to find out how we can help you.
